Digital Phablet

Tag: Ages

  • New Japanese Study Reveals Average Player Ages for Completing Final Fantasy, Super Mario, and More

    New Japanese Study Reveals Average Player Ages for Completing Final Fantasy, Super Mario, and More

    I’ve been playing Final Fantasy games since 1997. A recent study by GEM Partners, shared by Nikkei Entertainment, shows I’m not alone in my age.

    This study looked into the gaming habits of many Japanese fans, revealing the average ages of popular games and their estimated gender ratios. Some findings were surprising.

    The Answer To Final Fantasy Is 42

    The study included 180,000 participants, providing good insights into what people of all backgrounds enjoy in gaming. Many titles were represented, including Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Pokemon, Mario, Kirby, Fortnite, Valorant, and Minecraft. Japan’s passion for Splatoon was also noted.

    Both Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest have average player ages in the early 40s. Despite having mobile versions, their players tend to be older.

    Before seeing the data, I guessed that the average age for Final Fantasy would be around 38 to 40, and Dragon Quest would be closer to 45. Surprisingly, both are 42. This information sheds light on a challenge for Square Enix: Final Fantasy, which used to be a top JRPG series, has seen a decline recently. A common theory is that many fans who loved games like Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 10 are now moving away from gaming entirely.

    The gender ratio for Final Fantasy is 70% male to 30% female, which isn’t surprising. I thought Mario would be different, but it shares the same 70:30 split, with an average player age of 32. I expected Pokemon to be younger, but it is also at 32.

    Nikkei notes that Nintendo has a stable approach in appealing to a wide audience. “Nintendo titles are close to the overall gaming average of 30 years old and have reasonably balanced gender ratios.” This indicates that Nintendo aims to connect with a broad range of players, which is beneficial for selling games across different generations.

    As for gender differences, Kirby’s ratio is 45% male to 55% female. Notably, Animal Crossing skews heavily female at 25% male to 75% female. The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series has a close 60% male to 40% female ratio, despite featuring many shirtless men.

  • Completing Every Hebeth Collectible in Doom: The Dark Ages

    Completing Every Hebeth Collectible in Doom: The Dark Ages

    In Doom: The Dark Ages, Hebeth serves as your initial major destination. Although you may have started treasure hunting earlier, the wealth of secrets, collectibles, and gold in Hebeth significantly elevates the experience.

    Hebeth is also where you encounter the Sentinel Shrine for the first time, acting as your go-to shop. Get ready to collect a substantial amount of gold here. This guide follows a step-by-step format to direct you to every collectible—stick with it to ensure you gather everything!

    Secrets

    9

    Gold

    210

    Demonic Essence

    1

    Codex

    1

    Toy Soldiers

    1

    Skins

    1

    First Hebeth Life Sigil

    You’ll find the first hidden room shortly after entering, just past the tutorial section on throwing your shield. Look for a door to shield-charge on your left. After dispatching the summoners, turn the corner to discover the Life Sigil.

    Hebeth Imp Stalker Toy

    Upon arriving in the room next to the secret area with the cultists, ascend the stairs. Once on top, take a right to spot a pair of crates at the end of the hallway. Jump onto the crates to reach a higher area above. Look for a large open shaft; drop down to find a vent that leads you directly to the Imp Stalker toy.

    The Hebeth Codex

    After ascending a short staircase to a climbable wall, turn back and go down the stairs. You should see a hallway blocked by crates. Jump over them to discover a Codex.

    The First Hidden Gold Cache

    The first Hebeth gold room in Doom The Dark Ages.

    Right after being introduced to the Stone Imp enemy type, enter the doorway to the right of a large statue. Turn left to find a breakable door you can smash with a Shield Charge. Inside, you’ll find a pile of gold.

    The second Hebeth gold room in Doom The Dark Ages.

    In the area following the golden chest and the Sentinel Shrine, head right to find a room sealed behind a magical barrier. Jump over this glowing red barrier to reach the climbable wall above, climb up, and you’ll enter a hallway filled with gold. But be cautious—an Imp awaits you at the end.

    The Second Hebeth Life Sigil

    In the room next to where you acquire your Plasma Accelerator, you’ll find a vent you can break with a Shield Charge. Smash through it to uncover hidden gold, plus a Life Sigil at the end of the tunnel.

    The Gold In The Vent

    The gold you get from destroying a turret in Hebeth in Doom The Dark Ages.

    When you come across a vent with a turret shooting energy blasts, take it down by deflecting the green energy bolts with your shield. You’ll receive a stash of gold for your efforts.

    The Hebeth Cultists

    Upon exiting the room featuring a large hologram of the Atlan Mech, you’ll engage a Mancubus along with several Plasma Shield Soldiers. You’ll find yourself in the area next to the Sentinel Shrine (the shop). This area previously had a red-glowing magical wall blocking access to a room, but that barrier is now gone. Enter the room, defeat the cultists, and collect the gold in the back.

    The Big Hebeth Gold Cache

    When you reach the area where flames are venting before a doorway, move upward. At the dead end, glance to your left to see a climbable wall. Climb that wall to collect gold above. Then, throw your shield at the super-heated metal door. Jump across to enter a room filled with ammo and armor. Turn the wheel to cut off the gas supply, extinguishing the flames blocking the door.

    Charge through that door into the room formerly hidden behind the fire wall, where you’ll find more gold and a Life Sigil. But beware, there’s a Hell Knight present. Navigate through the hallway, pick up the ammo, and shield charge through the door to return to the main path.

    The Gold Room Near The Titans

    Pile of gold near the end of the Hebeth stage in Doom The Dark Ages.

    After cleaning out the area filled with Mancubus and numerous Stone Imps, as well as Shield Soldiers and Hell Knights, an open area will reveal itself with titans battling in the background. Once all enemies are defeated, a room will unlock that contains a pile of gold.

    The Treasure Chest Above The Shrine

    The golden chest above the Hebeth Sentinel Shrine in Doom The Dark Ages.

    After mastering the Shield Jump, look up in the area to spot a treasure chest. With your back to the Sentinel Shrine, look left for a decayed pathway. Ascend this pathway, climb the wall, and you’ll reach the chest.

    The Shredder Nightmare Skin

    After climbing the wall beside the second Sentinel Shrine, look for an open vent above. Climb the boxes near the vent, jump into it, and collect the gold lining inside. Follow the vent down, gathering gold as you go, and you’ll arrive in a room containing the Nightmare skin for your Shredder. Be ready to face a Mancubus and an Imp Stalker here. Once cleared, you can continue along the main path.

    Before dropping down into the room with the skin, consider picking off enemies from the vent above. While it may be a bit sneaky, it can be quite effective.

    Demonic Essence

    Demonic Pinky Rider Leader in Doom The Dark Ages.

    To collect the Demonic Essence, defeat the stage boss: the Elite Pinky Rider. This tougher version of the Pinky Rider comes with a new attack that launches spiked shields all around. Keep an eye out for the glowing green shield and parry it.

    Additionally, remember to circle the arena and eliminate the smaller enemies that spawn, so you won’t be overwhelmed while battling this formidable demon. After defeating the Pinky Rider, you’ll earn your first Demonic Essence.

  • Completing Every Khalim Collectible in Doom: The Dark Ages

    Completing Every Khalim Collectible in Doom: The Dark Ages

    The Village of Khalim serves as the first level in Doom: The Dark Ages. This stage guides you through essential gameplay mechanics, teaching you how to parry, execute melee attacks, and effectively defeat the forces of hell, both in spirit and in action.

    Even though this is mainly a tutorial level, there are numerous secrets and collectibles waiting to be discovered. We’re here to help you uncover all seven of them as you embark on your quest to achieve 100 percent completion in Doom: The Dark Ages.

    The First Secret – Life Sigil

    After you pick up the gauntlet and defeat the Imp, you’ll enter a burning building with a wall you can climb. However, hold off on climbing that wall just yet. Instead, look to your left to find a boarded-up doorway. Use your shield charge to break through it, and you’ll discover a Life Sigil pressed against a metal gate.

    The Second Secret – The Imp Toy

    As you continue through the main area, you’ll come across a blue key-locked gate. You can’t open it right away, so keep it in mind as you proceed. After defeating the cultists and acquiring the blue key, you’ll drop back into a courtyard with the blue gate waiting for you to unlock it. But before doing so, take a left to return to the previously locked gate. Open it up to find the Imp Toy.

    The Third Secret – The Combat Shotgun Skin

    Once you unlock the blue-locked gate, you’ll enter a section where you need to close four Demonic Portals. After sealing the first portal, turn left. Destroy the second portal and follow the tunnel down. You’ll be trapped with a swarm of enemies until you eliminate them. Don’t forget to grab the Life Sigil while you’re here. After exiting the tunnel, take a right.

    This location is also where you find the Shredder.

    Look for a cave entrance across the gap. Run and jump over to reach it. Inside, you’ll find plenty of explosive canisters. Various enemies, including a Pinky Rider, will spawn, but you can eliminate most of them by shooting the canisters. Afterward, collect the Nightmare skin for the Combat Shotgun and follow the path upwards, back to where you closed the second portal.

    The Fourth Secret – The Soldier Toy

    Return through the shaft where you found the Life Sigil and into the arena with the Shredder (the spot from where you jumped to reach the cave with the shotgun skin). Once you’re in the open area, move towards the glowing beacon in the distance, leading you to the edge of a cliff. Drop down onto the cliff below and follow it into a cave. Inside, you’ll discover armor, health packs, ammo, and the Soldier Toy.

    Be ready! After you grab the Soldier Toy, an Imp Stalker will attack you.

    The Fifth Secret – The Secret Key and Life Sigil

    North of the clearing where you found the Shredder, you’ll find another massive portal. After sealing that portal, cross the bridge to find the Secret Key hidden on the right side of the mountain. Return to the first portal to unlock the gate in the initial area using the “Secret Key.” Open it to receive another Life Sigil.

    The Sixth Secret – The First Codex

    Northern of the first portal, across a bridge and in front of a mountain, you’ll find another portal. After sealing this one, climb the wall to the right to reach the top, where a codex will be visible.

    Note that this Codex isn’t counted as a “secret,” which is why this guide has seven secrets even though the game suggests there are only six in this stage.

    The Seventh Secret – The Second Codex

    After you’ve sealed all the portals, passed through the church, and engaged in the battle against the enemies near the cliffs, the main pathway will open. Instead of continuing straight, turn to the right and scale the wall. At the top, you’ll find the second codex.